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TECHNOLOGY
© Bruker
© Oxford Instruments
Scrap metal sorting supported by Oxford Instruments’ XMET 7000 …
by positive identification of alloy grades and
scrap composition in seconds. Latest instruments
quickly and reliably detect the valuable
content of scrap as well as deleterious ‘tramp’
elements without the need for highly-trained
operators.
Most handheld XRF instruments are designed
for use in harsh conditions, such as on
factory floors and in all outdoor conditions,
and are capable of making several thousand
analyses within an 8-hour work day. This enables
large volumes of metal to be analysed and
sorted quickly – and almost any type of alloy
to be identified, including aluminium and zinc
alloys.
All shapes and sizes
The size or shape of the sample is not a problem
– latest handheld XRF analysers can measure
everything from single wires up to large
components and structures. It is a simple case
of point-and-shoot with most of these instruments
that now automatically correct results
for size, shape and curvature to ensure accurate
analysis of all types of samples.
These devices offer the freedom to work
in the labo-
ratory, on the
shop floor or
in the field and
flexible instrument
configurations
allow a
choice of model
that best fits your
application.
Latest instruments
developments
give substantially improved
accuracy and
speed; taking just a few
seconds to obtain reliable
chemistry and grade
identification. One of
Bruker S1 Titan the main improvements
seen in the latest generations
of handheld XRF
instruments is their
capability with light
metals. These devices
can effectively analyse
certain light elements,
such as magnesium,
aluminium, titanium,
and zirconium, without
the need for helium or
vacuum purging. This
further improves the
reliability of material
identification and ensures
correct assessment of the material.
One of the strengths of the modern handheld
XRF instruments is their versatility. Metal
sorting is the most common recycling application
for these portable devices, but they can
be used in recycling of many other materials
as well, such as plastics in the recycling stream,
or for example to accurately analyse recycled
automotive catalytic converters to determine
high value metal content. This technology can
also be used in the recycling of waste electronics,
providing quick verification of the presence
of hazardous heavy elements or valuable
precious metals.
Overall, these devices are proven to be
easy-to-use, reliable, and accurate tools for
sorting all types of metal scrap. Both the economical
models and the top of the line can increase
efficiency and profitability at all stages
of the scrap metal recycling process.
A wide range of companies manufacture
these types of devices and a selection is outlined
here.
The new ‘xSort’ from Spectro Analytical
is a compact energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence
spectrometer for continuous, fatiguefree
handheld analysis and sorting of metals.
Innovative engineering delivers utmost precision,
speed and safety of this system. The
device enables laboratory-like analyses for up
to 41 elements in seconds, including light elements
Mg, Al, Si.
Skyray’s range of handheld XRF instruments
are claimed to be very versatile offering
complete flexibility in scrap metal sorting,
positive material identification, or laboratory
NDT analysis. The instruments are said to be
robust and reliable, lightweight and durable
and deliver results in seconds. A range of
analysers and software applications can be
tailored to suit specific needs.
Weighing just 1.44 kg including battery, the
new ‘S1 Titan’ from Bruker is among the lightest
tube-based handheld XRF analysers currently
on the market. The innovative device,
said to be fast and accurate, includes features
such as a integrated touch-screen colour display
and an extremely tough housing that is
sealed against humid and dusty environments.
Now available with recently developed
Thermo Scientific geometrically optimised
large area drift detector (GOLDD) technology,
the Niton/Thermofisher ‘XL3T’ and ‘XL2’ series
x-ray fluorescence alloy devices deliver
faster, more accurate metal testing results. The
lightweight, rugged XRF device is claimed to
be ideal for most metal alloy testing applications
and offers notable improved performance
on elements below atomic number 17
(Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl) without the use of helium
purging or vacuum pumps.
… and by Niton XL3T
Ukrainian company, Elvatech has launched
the ‘ElvaX ProSpector’, the latest device in
its range of handheld XRF elemental analysis
systems, is said designed to be intuitive, highly
flexible and user-friendly. The light element
option has a broad detectable range from Mg
to U. The new instrument features a high resolution
4-inch touch-screen display.
Latest Olympus/Delta handheld XRF units,
such as the ‘InnovX’ are claimed to enable fast,
reliable alloy sorting and analysis of metals,
plastics, and glass and offer precise, dependable
compositional measurements faster than
ever before, even for aluminium and other
light alloys. They are designed for durability
in the toughest processing environments.
The new Oxford Instruments ‘X-MET7000’
hand-held XRF dispersive analyser is said to
have been designed with the latest needs in
mind. The device’s enhanced ergonomic design
provides total reliability, even in the harshest
environments. This rugged and rapid multi-element
analyser delivers an exceptional level
of analytical performance and features a new
touch screen and superior graphics.
Ken Stanford, contributing editor
© Niton
54 ALUMINIUM · 3/2013